How is it that religion is such an incredibly divisive concept?
Yes, I get that, as a species, we all like to be part of an Us as opposed to a Them.
But if I choose to wear a duck on my head every second Saturday, and then get really militant if you do not follow the Holy Great Duck - why am I suddenly "right" because I have the Holy Great Duck on my head?
The whole just wears me out. A rhetorical but open question - why do people bother investing in this whole deal?
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9 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.They are indoctrinated from birth. No choice in the matter.
sassygirl3869
Level 9
Apr 9, 2018
1
Agreeing with the tribalism comments below, but it is interesting to consider what is it about religion to seems to ramp up the tribalism compared to say a disagreement in science.
I believe the trouble stems from religion's declaration that it is the "one truth". But with so many religions, there are so many versions of the "one truth". And when the foundation of the truth is declaration, faith, etc - there is no method to test and adapt to facts. Strife and tribalism seems to be a natural consequence.
RPardoe
Level 7
Apr 9, 2018
1
>compared to say a disagreement in science.
economics is a branch of science and the disagreement over economic systems almost led to humanity's extinction at one point. As terrifying as religious wars are nothing they produced comes even close to complete human extinction.
The world almost ended over who was right: Adam Smith or Karl Marx.
@engineer_in_nj I don't recall the Great Economic War of ???? Or are you referring to the Cold War? Which itself has a strong religious component as evinced by the addition of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance and formal legislation to place "In God We Trust" on paper currency to counter the "godless communists".
@RPardoe I'm sticking with the Great Holy Duck. Which is also delicious in an orange sauce.
@RPardoe the cold war stretched over 46 years, the two events you described happened in one. So 2% of the cold war is how much an element it had.
I think people want to answer all questions. If they can't answer those questions then they make something up. Religion requires no more thought into a subject, it's a easy go to for the unknown. In the case of death it is especially true. That's a major fear for most people so it's much easier to believe a fairy tale than not know.
Fulishsage
Level 6
Apr 9, 2018
1
I think humans have an innate sense of wonder. We have a need for meaning and magic. All the religions were made long before we had the slightest clue about what was really going on in the universe. Religion gives us answers to the questions that nag at the thoughtful among us - why are we here? What is right and just? What is a good life?
NeilHorner
Level 5
Apr 9, 2018
2
That's probably why we, as a species, flock to fireworks. That innate sense of wonder. Or is that an insane sense of wonder? Because it all needs to make sense. Or something like that. I'm going to order some takeaway and just be over here...
Becuase humanity sucks, always has, and l see nothing to lead me to believe that it is not going to suck in the future. 
Sticks48
Level 9
Apr 8, 2018
2
Quite right.
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